IMMUNITY

Immunity is a state of resistance of a person to invading virus or bacteria and their harmful effects that prevents the development of infection.

Immunity, the state of protection from infectious disease.

The immune system protects us from invading pathogenic microorganisms and cancer.

Two types:

1.Innate Immunity: non/less specific

2.Adaptive Immunity: more specific

Innate Immunity

This provides the first line of defense against infection.

It is a rapid response (minutes);

it is not specific to a particular pathogen.

It has no memory and does not confer long-lasting immunity to the host.

It has 4 main components and is found in all classes of plant and animal life.

Adaptive Immunity

This provides a specific immune response directed at an invading pathogen.

Following exposure to a foreign organism there is an initial RESPONSE that eliminates or neutralizes a pathogen. Later re-exposure to the same foreign organism induces a MEMORY RESPONSE with a more rapid immune reaction that eliminates the pathogen and prevents disease.

Ways to Boost Natural Immunity

Ayurveda Concept of Immunity:

1.There is a theory of immunity in ayurveda called the beej-bhumi theory, which means "seed and land." In this case, the body is analogous to the land, and infection or "bugs" are like seeds.

2.If the body is filled with ama (toxins) and lacking in ojas, the infection will find it to be fertile ground for spreading, just as land that is fertile will sprout many seeds.

3.If digestion is strong, and ojas rather than ama predominates in the body, then the seeds of infection will not be able to take hold, just as seeds will not take root in land that is infertile.

Respiratory Immunity:

1.Everyone is more susceptible to respiratory problems when the seasons are changing.

2.This is because the body functions differently in each season, and in the transition between the hot and cold seasons the Agni, or digestive fire, start to fluctuate dramatically if proper Seasonal regimen is not followed.

3.If you do not adjust your diet and routine and follow the ayurvedic guidelines for the seasonal transitions, you can build up ama.

4.Once the body is fertile for disease, it is easy for a cold or flu to sprout, as in the seed and land theory mentioned earlier.

5.That is why respiratory illnesses and allergies abound in the seasonal transitions.

6.In the month of February and march, there is an added factor, because ama accumulated during the winter starts to melt, flooding the microchannels and overloading the immune system. The bodys immune system is weakened, and becomes a fertile ground for bacteria and allergens.

Ways to Burn Ama:

1.Ayurveda recommends that one should follow the seasonal bio-purificatory procedures (panchakarma) during these transitions between the seasons to get rid of ama accumulated during the previous season in one’s body.

2.Panchakarma also strengthens your Agni, or digestive fire, so more ama wont be accumulated.

3.Cooking food with immune-enhancing spices as cumin fennel, coriander, turmeric, ginger and black pepper. These all will enhance Agni and reduce ama.

4.One can also take one cup daily of Laxi tea (at bed time) and Kof tea (morning and evening) of the Baidyanath’s under name of Ayurvedant Brand.

5.Its important to always avoid the factors that cause ama to accumulate.